Mental Health Act (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) 2003 - Section 22 AMP Training

NHS Education for Scotland (NES) took responsibility for all AMP training with effect from 12 September 2017.

Therefore, the Scottish Government's direct responsibility for the provision and commission of AMP training materials ceased from that date.

NES has been working to set up a Training Faculty to deliver the required training and this work is now complete.

The Training Faculty will make sure that training materials are current and able to be adapted quickly to include changes to legislation and practice.

NES will also be responsible for quality assurance of the training provided. The training process and eligibility criteria remain the same.

Eligibility criteria for S22 Approval and how to become Section 22 Certified

To be eligible for S22 approval you must be a registered medical practitioner who is either:

• A member or fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, or
• Have four years of continuous experience in the specialty of psychiatry and are sponsored by your local medical director.

To complete your training under the Mental Health Act 2003 follow these instructions:

Step 1 – Part 1 (Self-assessment)

The first step is to register on TURAS Learn. You can then access the AMP Part One online training module via TURAS Learn. The module will take you through materials and then ask you to complete the assessment. You must get 100% on the assessment but you may have as many attempts as needed.

Once you have successfully completed Part one, you can download your certificate from TURAS Learn.

Step 2 – Part 2 (Training Day)

In order to be Section 22 certified you must attend a one-day MHA Training Day. 

In light of the ongoing Covid pandemic, NES has developed an online course to replace face-to-face courses.

The new online course is delivered over three sessions within the same week, and all three sessions of each cohort must be completed to complete the course.  

The AMP Part 2 online training will take place on the following dates:

Please note that joining instructions for these dates are on the Scotland Deanery webpage. Delegates must book through NES's portal to be able to register for the above courses.

For any enquiries about AMP training please email AMPTraining@nes.scot.nhs.uk. Alternatively, email Susan Richardson for any general enquiries.

Step 3 – Contact your local Medical Manager and register with your local Health Board

Completion of training does not mean you are automatically approved under the Act, as the College is not responsible for approval this is a Health Board responsibility.

You still need to show your two certificates to your local Medical Manager and ensure that they have registered you with the local Health Board.

Once you are registered, your approval is transferable throughout Scotland (i.e. if you register with one Board and then move to a different area your approval moves with you). Please see below for details about Update (previously referred to as refresher) training.

Mental Health Act Training - update training for Approved Medical Practitioners

For existing AMP's, it is mandatory to complete Update Training by 31 December 2019 and thereafter every five years. However a transitional period until 31 December 2020 has been allowed for those who have not been unable to timeously complete update training for the first time. The policy intention therefore does not change and the direction and its requirement for updated training will come into force on 31 December 2019.

NES are now able to offer ONLINE Core & Capacity Update training on the following dates:-  

For further details, please visit the Scotland Deanery AMP section for more information, and booking links.

If you have any further questions with regards to any of the above then please email FDA Admin at NES or telephone 01382 496638.